Brewing
What Water Temperature Is Best for Black Tea?
Black tea usually benefits from hot water around 90–98°C (194–208°F). Start there, then adjust time and leaf amount for the particular tea and your preferred strength.
Why hotter water helps
Black teas are generally more extensively oxidized than green teas and often welcome a hotter steep. A robust breakfast blend may taste lively near a boil, while a lighter black tea can reveal more detail at the lower end of the range.
The UK Tea & Infusions Association recommends 90–98°C for black tea. A thermometer is handy but optional: water just off the boil is close enough for an ordinary first cup.
When the result tastes wrong
If the cup is harsh, do not assume the water is the only cause. Try a shorter steep or a smaller measure first. If it is weak, increase leaf slightly or give the infusion more time.
Prewarm a cold teapot if you are brewing a larger serving. Otherwise, the water can cool quickly before it has extracted the flavor you expected.